Ancestry is a solo exhibition by Syrian artist Juliet Makhlouf, presented at Oblong Gallery in Al Quoz, Dubai. The exhibition explores ancestry, collective memory, and the enduring cultural legacy of the Arab world through a deeply reflective body of work that draws connections between ancient civilizations and contemporary humanity.
Background
Born in Syria in 1957, Juliet Makhlouf graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Graphic Department at the University of Damascus in 1981. Soon after graduating, she participated in a group exhibition at the Russian Cultural Center, marking the beginning of a career spanning more than four decades across the Middle East and Europe.
Alongside her artistic practice, Makhlouf has taught art at secondary schools in Syria, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, contributing significantly to arts education in the region.
Exhibition History
Makhlouf has exhibited extensively throughout her career. Her past exhibitions include shows at Art House in Damascus and multiple participations in the General Exhibition of Fine Arts in Sharjah between 1990 and 1995. She also took part in the group exhibition Eye of All Colors at the Alliance Française in Damascus in 1996.
Her international solo exhibitions include En El Paraíso Imposible at the Arabic Syrian Cultural Center in Madrid in 1998, as well as her first solo exhibition in Dubai at Meem Gallery in 2015.
About the Exhibition
In Ancestry, Makhlouf turns her focus toward ancient civilizations and the shared heritage of humanity. Drawing inspiration from the ancestors of Syria and the wider Arab world, the exhibition reflects on how their intellectual, spiritual, and artistic contributions continue to resonate despite centuries of upheaval and destruction.
References to clay tablets, early systems of trade and communication, and foundational mythologies such as the Epic of Gilgamesh appear throughout the works as enduring symbols of human connection, belief, and continuity.
“Admiring ancestors is to pay tribute to their precious contribution that will never be erased” … “Despite mass destruction, their surviving works are filled with beauty, love, and meaning. Their stories have crossed all borders toward the entire humanity.”
Juliet Makhlouf
Through Ancestry, Makhlouf positions ancestors as the collective memory of humankind, not only as historical figures, but as revolutionary forces that reshaped faith, belief, and shared values across generations.
Exhibition Details
- Venue: Oblong Gallery, Al Quoz, Dubai
- Dates: 24 January to 8 February 2026
- Opening Times: Daily, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Admission: FREE
Artist Website
www.julietmakhlouf.com
Press and Inquiries:
Florence Rosete
Florence.rosete@itp.com
+971 58 208 3561